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You Don’t Have To Take Offense Just Because It’s Given

I am not easily offended. It’s not that folks aren’t saying things that could offend me, I’m just not picking up the offense and holding onto it.

Some take offense where none is intended.

Some actually look for offense on purpose to support a preconceived notion about the other person.

Some grab up an offense and hoard it, a reason to withhold trust and push others away.

All of this is a crap way to live.

Offenses Are Everywhere

The truth is that people will offend you, on purpose or on accident. It’s gonna happen. Big offenses, little offenses.

But YOU get to decide whether to take offense and I want to encourage you to start dealing with them differently.

Be Resilient!

When someone says or does something you find offensive, you can make like a duck and let it roll off your back. Imagine that you’re an elastic super hero and flex away from the offense – just don’t let it land on you! You can do it if you will do it.

Assume the Best.

Did she really mean to cut you down like that or was she simply unaware of how it would make you feel? Choose to believe the best about her. Wouldn’t you want others to believe the best about you?

Forgive.

Whether an offense is accidental, inconsiderate or downright mean spirited you need to find a way to forgive the offender. Holding on to unforgiveness is a sure way to become bitter and unhappy. You’re hurting yourself, not the other person.

Consider praying this simple prayer: “Father God, I forgive ____ for ___________. I forgive ____ for making me feel _____________. Please bless ___ and show me how to move on…”

For example: “Father God, I forgive Trina for leaving me out of her wedding. I forgive her for making me feel unimportant and left out. Please bless Trina and show me how to move on with our friendship.”

It may be emotional and difficult to go through but it is ultimately a freeing experience.

Maybe you’re going to want to let the person know you’ve forgiven them, but maybe not – pray about that too.

Let it Go!

When you forgive someone, you choose to let the offense go. You put it down and walk away from it forever. Forgiving someone doesn’t ensure that they’ll never hurt you again – resist the urge to run back and pick old offenses up. You’ll undo all of your good work and make things worse.

Just Let It Go! Yes it will be hard! Ask God to give you the grace to do it and I believe He will certainly do so.

Dis really touched me….. This message was just in time for the situation i was in….it just goes to show that God knows what am going through , and always has a way of sending the right word to me at the right time, and for this reason i’ll always remain thankful and grateful to him…..Thank you so much for letting him use you…

Very important for us all to be continually reminded not to take offense as the devil roams around like a roaring lion seeking whom he can devour, and I believe one of his major ways to bring us down is to cause us to take offense. We mustn’t open the door to him but stand strong in Gods strength and resist temptation. In the first chapter of Joshua we are told to meditate upon the Word of God day and night then we will make our way prosperous and we will have good success. Thankyou for the reminder!

Most of the biggest hurtful things that pass my way come from lost people. God forgives them and me for getting ill with them. Just consider that lost people act like lost people. We can join them or we get to choose to rise above that pain.Walk through it and walk out of it. It will always pass.

Thank you for this article. I personally struggle with offenses. I take them so easily and do not let go. I hold offenses in my heart especially towards my husband. I have been finding it difficult to be free from this hold. I am now convinced that it is possible through prayer and the grace of God. This article has helped me to see that It is possible and I will give it all it takes for me to be free. Enough of allowing offences to ruin my relationship with God, my husband and other people around me.